Old Lead Underground Pipe Leak

[pulmicort1415]

I was pulling and hauling at a tree stump in the garden.

I heard a pop sound and later discovered the hole filling with water. I have turned water off outside in the street, dug down and found a lead pipe leaking.

Can a lead pipe be repaired.

[barry1010]

They can be relined but replacing would be better

[The Builder]

I would agree with replacing the entire length, but sometimes that's impracticable.

In the old days, a plumber would cut out a short length of the pipe, and 'sweat' a joint by pushing a length of copper pipe inside the lead and soldering it in. Obviously applying this to both ends. I've done it, but it's not easy.

Today, it's usually avoided (probably against all the rules now.) For above ground, brass 'lead-loc' fittings each end with the short length of copper.

For below ground... much the same thing but using blue poly pipe and plastic screw-up 'lead-loc' fittings.

 

[Peter Pedant]

thx builder

[netherfield]

Water co might replace it free, how long that would take though who knows. In our previous house Yorkshire water contacted anyone who they thought had lead still, they replaced ours and most of the street. 

[Canary42]

Although they all originally installed the link from Main to Residence, some time ago the Privatised Water Companies disclaimed responsibility for repair of this pipe and passed the responsibility on to the resident. All part of the profits-before-people policy they now adopt. 

You will need to pay them to do it or get a plumber in.

[barry1010]

If your house was built before 1970 you may be entitled to help under the Lead and Common Supply Pipe Replacement Scheme.  Worth asking about

[Canary42]

Useful info barry, thanks.

[Old_Geezer]

Water company is unlikely to want to know. Despite it clearly being their sytem to provide their product to you, they continually state they're only interested in pipes to the edge of your property.  They'd lose a lot of custom were folk to decide to remove the pipes the company refused to cover.